Overland Expedition Across the Land of Nomads

Mongolia: The name conjures up images of vast grasslands, wind-swept steppe and endless sky. Here an empire built on horseback galloped across two continents, leaving behind the names Genghis and Kublai Khan. Follow their lead, using the horsepower of modern vehicles to cover the incredible distances at the heart of Mongolia. End in the capital, where the ancient skills of that nomadic army are preserved at the extraordinary Naadam Festival.

MIR’s Explorer Series trips are for those seeking a more active adventure. These interactive cross-cultural journeys are more limited in size and deeper in focus, with a variety of accommodations ranging from small private hotels to rustic lodges and homestays. Explorer trips may feature hiking and outdoor opportunities. Groups have a firm maximum of 12 travelers.

Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance

Days 1-4: Ulaanbaatar, Lake Hovsgol

Begin in Ulaanbaatar, where the centuries-old Buddhist heritage is still vital. Tour some of the city's treasures before flying north to alpine Lake Hovsgol, sacred to Mongolians. Sleep in traditional gers, and explore the summer pastureland of reindeer and yak on foot and horseback. Return to Ulaanbaatar.

Highlights

Ulaanbaatar, capital and most important city in Mongolia

High-altitude Lake Hovsgol, set amidst some of Mongolia’s most beautiful scenery

Days 5-7: Hustai Nuruu, Khogna Khan, Kara Korum

Set off overland to Kara Korum, the site of Genghis Khan’s all-but-vanished capital city. On the drive out to the former capital, stop at Hustai Nuruu National Park, home to the Przewalski horse, the last remaining species of truly wild horse in the world, and sleep in a ger in the mountains of Khogna Khan. Visit the splendid UNESCO-listed Erdene Zuu Monastery, built with stones salvaged from the ruins of Kara Korum.

Days 8-11: Gobi Desert

Continue on an adventurous overland route through the Mongolian outback to the Gobi, stopping en route at lost monasteries and remote ger camps. During the epic journey, discover the Flaming Cliffs and the green Yolyn Am Canyon, and climb the sand dunes at Moltsog Els. Along the way, encounter the nomads who call this formidable environment home. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar.

Highlights

Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia’s premier ger camp in the Gobi

Moltsog Els, one of the Gobi’s rare regions of sand dunes

Flaming Cliffs, where the first nest of dinosaur eggs was discovered

Yolyn Am (Vulture’s Mouth) Canyon

Togrogiin Shiree, where the fossil of the “Fighting Dinosaurs” was uncovered

MIR’s Explorer Series trips are for those seeking a more active adventure. These interactive cross-cultural journeys are more limited in size and deeper in focus, with a variety of accommodations ranging from small private hotels to rustic lodges and homestays. Explorer trips may feature hiking and outdoor opportunities. Groups have a firm maximum of 12 travelers.

2019 Dates

Group Size

What’s Included

On Your Tour

Shared accommodations in a superior tourist class hotel in Ulaanbaatar and in ger camps with shared facilities outside of the capital.

13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners, per the itinerary.

Restaurant tips for included meals.

Services of an experienced, English-speaking MIR Tour Manager with local guides at specific sites.

Arrival/departure transfers. MIR will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure whether we make your airfare arrangements or not, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates in the tour start/end city.

Transportation throughout the itinerary by jeeps or minivans (type and number of vehicles depends on group size and terrain).

Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.

Special events, excursions and cultural performances per the itinerary.

MIR’s Explorer Series trips are for those seeking a more active adventure. These interactive cross-cultural journeys are more limited in size and deeper in focus, with a variety of accommodations ranging from small private hotels to rustic lodges and homestays. Explorer trips may feature hiking and outdoor opportunities. Groups have a firm maximum of 12 travelers.

Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare

MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.

Travel Insurance

Stay a Little Longer…

MIR can extend your stay with a train ride over the border into Siberia to explore Lake Baikal, or perhaps venture to Ulgii to visit the Kazakhs in western Mongolia. Consider traveling to China before or after the trip to visit Tibet, Xi’an, Shanghai or Hong Kong. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.

Is this Trip Right for You?

This Explorer Series program, by nature, is designed to be adventurous, but also as comfortable as is possible for rustic travel in this region. Accommodations will vary from a superior tourist class hotel in Ulaanbaatar to simple and basic accommodation in ger camps outside the capital.

A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.

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Traveler Reviews

“I loved the Mongolian people. From the folks at the hotel desks, the drivers, the families who invited us into their ger homes…everyone was so friendly and open to our questions.”- E. Lepore - Tavares, FL